“I posted a story with a questions box. We’re doing an impromptu ask me anything.”
I’ve seen the amount of followers Starlit Fields has. I’m not sure anything is going to come of this. If it was planned…maybe.But just posting this late in the evening with no warning, it may be a bit more difficult.
“That’s good.” How do I break this down to her simply? “Even if nobody asks a question, we can still hang out and finish this wine. Speaking of, you never got into the details of the date from hell.”
“You really know how to bring the mood down, don’t you?”
“I’m just curious what happened. You never leave a date as early as you did today.”
There’s a high probability he was an asshole. Most of the guys she goes on dates with are. If only I wasn’t safely tucked away in the friend category. I put myself there the day I met her. Dumb move on my part, but worth it to have her in my life at all.
“I didn’t even make it to the meal.” She groans and takes another drink of her wine. “It was so bad. He was already at the table when I got there. I don’t understand how you drive in that traffic every day. I’ll take these backroads any day of the week.”
“Stop trying to change the subject.” Deflection is her superpower after spending years trying to get her siblings to not pick on her because she’s the baby.
“Fine.” She pouts. “Anyway, I get there and he’s talking to a woman. I think, cool, it’s probably someone coming to take the order. She walks off right before I get to the table. We exchange introductions as soon as I sit down. Thank God his picture was accurate. You wouldn’t believe how many people upload ones that aren’t. So, we’re sitting down and picking up where we left off in our chat. Some other woman, who is in fact part of the waitstaff, comes to take our order. I get a drink and an appetizer, but in the process, I see him slip this woman his number.”
“Excuse me, what?” That’s bold. I could never imagine trying to talk to someone else when I’m on a date. Much less in front of them.
“I know!” She pours more wine into her glass. Honestly, I wouldn’t blame her if she drank straight from the bottle. “When I said something about it, he tried to wave it away as if I didn’t see what just happened. I told him I wouldn’t be gaslit and he could take this date and shove it.”
“At least you found out early on.” Now I know she’s drinking on an empty stomach, and that’s never a good thing. “I’m going to order us something from Out of the Ashes and have it delivered.”
“You don’t have to do that.” She reaches for my phone. “That means you’ll have gotten dinner two nights in a row.”
“It’s fine. You’ve been through enough bullshit this week. Let me do this for you.”
“Okay.” She knows there’s no use in arguing. It’s not like I have to ask what she wants. She finds something she likes and eats it for eternity rather than branching out. “Why can’t any of my dates turn out decent? It’s like I’m a jerk magnet. As much as my brothers annoy the shit out of me, they taught me not to be gaslit by anyone. Well, except Pierce. He does a pretty good job of that.”
“I’m just glad you didn’t take any of that dude’s shit.” Maybe someday she’ll realize there could be something between us. I would treat her like a queen. Even if that day never comes, I’ll be fine. “You’ll find someone who matches your energy. You have to be patient. And the food will be here in about twenty minutes.”
“Seriously, thank you for everything you do for me.”
“I’ve got your back. Always have and always will.”
“That is why you’re the best.”
A few moments pass by and we enjoy the companionable silence. This is how easy it should be. It’s not like this all the time between us. We’ve fought and not talked to each other for short periods of time. But the way we can be ourselves in each other’s company is unmatched.
Her phone lights up and she squeals as she picks it up.
“What happened?” I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen her excited like this.
“There are so many responses to the story I posted.” She turns toward me with a devious grin.
“What are you about to do?”
“Something my brother will absolutely hate, but there are so many comments.” I open my mouth to argue about why it’s not a good idea, but she waves her hands in the air. “Don’t worry, I’m not going live. But I am going to do video responses.”
“Okay…” I’m not sure what that has to do with me. But this is definitely better than her going live. The last thing she needs is one of her siblings to join in the conversation and possibly ruin the experience for her.
“And you’re going to be in them with me.”
“Why do I need to be in the videos with you?”
“Because you’re my emotional support human. And everyone likes a little eye candy.”
Her cheeks flush as she says it. At least I know she finds me attractive outside of being my friend.
